Letter of Intent--Naming other schools?

[cafedisco]

Hi all--

When writing a letter of intent, what's the protocol when it comes to mentioning an acceptance at another school? Should we actually say which school(s) it is? Or should that only be done if the school is of comparable rank?

I know that this year schools can't see where we hold acceptances, so I'm not sure what's expected. I'm very grateful to have an acceptance, but I'm still really excited about my top choice and want to provide an appropriate LOI.

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[lalalallala]

I think the general rule of thumb is that it is not worth mentioning if the school you are writing to is 'more prestigious' than the school you got into. For example: if you got into low/mid tier state school and your dream school was Harvard then there is no point in telling Harvard about how you have this state school acceptance but want to go to Harvard anyways. Harvard knows you want to go to their school and they don't care about this state school.

On the other hand, some people believe that the state school would care that you got into Harvard but want to go to their state school anyways if you list reasons and show how you are a good fit for them.

As far as whether you should drop school names - I think it varies a bit on the situation - and people will give you different advice. Some ADCOMs here are for it, but I have heard from several advisors/past adcoms that it is often not well received.

 

[DokterMom]

Name-dropping could be beneficial if the school you're writing to (but really want) is way less prestigious than the one that already accepted you and you suspect you may be getting yield-protected out. Be sure to explain clearly why you prefer the school you're writing to over the acceptance you have.

"While I'm grateful to have been accepted to Harvard, I've still got my heart set on Podunk so I can stay close to my ailing grandmother in her final years."

 

[cafedisco]

Thank you both!

 

[PentuPenguin]

Just to pitch in - I did send a LOI to a school I was waitlisted and was ultimately accepted pretty early in the game. Did mention that I had received the honor of an offer to another school, but did not mention the name since Idk it just didn't feel like my sort of thing to do. I personally think that as long as you are humble, mention that you are honored about your other offer yet would love to attend X and explain why and what you have done to learn even more about this school post-interview (i.e. like talking to specific current students, I did mention those names and what we talked about) is what will show sincere interest. A concise update, preferably framed in a way that resonates with the thesis of your application - and brownie points if you can articulate how this activity continues to prepare your journey into the kind of doctor you want to be and what the school might get out of this new perspective/activity you carry in your toolbox - will make your LOI glow even more! Good luck. Remember that elegant and humble persistence is key. If the LOI must be sent via email and you don't receive a response after several business days, call them to confirm - this may show interest too 🙂

 

[cafedisco]

Just to pitch in - I did send a LOI to a school I was waitlisted and was ultimately accepted pretty early in the game. Did mention that I had received the honor of an offer to another school, but did not mention the name since Idk it just didn't feel like my sort of thing to do. I personally think that as long as you are humble, mention that you are honored about your other offer yet would love to attend X and explain why and what you have done to learn even more about this school post-interview (i.e. like talking to specific current students, I did mention those names and what we talked about) is what will show sincere interest. A concise update, preferably framed in a way that resonates with the thesis of your application - and brownie points if you can articulate how this activity continues to prepare your journey into the kind of doctor you want to be and what the school might get out of this new perspective/activity you carry in your toolbox - will make your LOI glow even more! Good luck. Remember that elegant and humble persistence is key. If the LOI must be sent via email and you don't receive a response after several business days, call them to confirm - this may show interest too 🙂

This is what I plan to do, I think it's a great approach. Thank you!